I think the whole problems in Roy Mai were Prince Siriwong and Princess Maneerin were the only characters in that ancient Chiang Mai to have evolved with the pace of modernization in human civilization in terms of woman’s right and human’s right. To summarize their alikeness as both characters were so similar and their views of life were congruent with each other. Both were well-educated, multi-lingual and desired freedom beyond their palace to broaden their horizon. They even shared the same viewpoint with regard to love and monogamy marriage.
Both also had their own predicament. Little princess didn’t want to get married. She didn’t want to confine in a small world with this man, Prince Siriwattana whom she doesn’t love. She wanted a world beyond the palace. However she had to compromise her happiness to a marriage alliance of two brotherly countries. As for Prince Siriwong, he didn’t want to be confined in the palace too. However he was inculcated from young to make all sacrifices for his brother including his precious life if the occasion arose. His dilemma lied in his responsibility as a prince and seeking his self-worth beyond the monarchy.
Their unconventional encounters and exchanges between Prince Siriwong and Princess Maneerin were destined that they would fall in love, and their tradition eventually led to circumstances arose which resulted to their tragic ending. I wouldn’t ever blame Bua Ngern for her jealousy considering the fact that no woman would ever want to share her husband given a choice. The root cause of those tragedies was that they allowed polygamy and had disregard for women status. Therefore, Prince Siriwattana was insensitive towards women’s feelings and felt that it was alright that he had a mistress. In his own words in episode 5, we are Asian; we just had to follow our tradition. Monogamy was just western culture.
I especially love the unconventional and hilarious encounter of Prince Siriwong and Princess Maneerin as both were unconventional people too. I would like to think their 1st encounter in the marketplace in those days as unprecedented in a feudal traditional society. I felt that those moments were special and memorable for both of them. In such a way that it was unbelievable that you had gotten yourself involved in an incident where you were mistaken as a thief when little princess unintentionally dumped the stolen books to him and scurried away. The “thief culprits” were incredible enough to be females. The funny part was that he thought the little nanny concocted lies and intended to be disrespectful by proclaiming the young woman as Pincess Maneerin. However as the drama flowed, they chose to believe in the lies they each fabricated. I wouldn’t blame little prince for not believing as woman with status and good reputation in those days were supposed to stay at home.
2nd encounter, they shared a comrade moment together. She assisted him courageously in a fight and haughtily commented that “a friend aught to help a friend “. Shouldn’t that sound inconceivable from a lady? Her extraordinary remarks must have impressed him. She was also stubborn and adamant in returning him the money to the point that she torn his sleeve. And he bluntly remarked her deed as “a woman with a brute strength of an elephant” without any consideration of her sensibility.
3rd encounter, friendship had no gender boundary. She had no squirmed in compensating him the new shirt in public which she had made personally and she gracefully accepted his invitation of thanksgiving without any regard of propriety. However, I found him rather witty to have thought of striking a friendship with a woman over the liquor session which was very extraordinary because it was uncommon between a guy and a gal in those days. He just wanted to defy convention.
Actually, I admired little princess’s audacity to approach the man she loved and expressed her affection because it doesn’t always have to be the man who took the initial step in a relationship. They kind of influenced the other with little princess taking the lead in their affair and little prince followed suit after much emotional struggle. Then both headed to a route with no return.
Bua Ngern kept harping on the issue of her being first in Jao Pee’s life and since she shared his bed, she should rightfully be Jao Pee’s lawfully wedded wife and not his mistress. However, she must have already known that Jao Pee was betrothed to Princess Maneerin since childhood. Their marriage alliance was of great significant to the 2 brotherly states. Therefore, her illicit affair with Jao Pee wasn’t going to elevate her status and her identity would always remain awkward. I understand that she wanted to become the next queen but can’t she use her brain to think that Jao Pee’s marriage alliance involve the union of 2 states that would prospered and strengthened the sovereignty of Chiang Mai following the economic benefits that will inevitably enjoyed by their citizens. On the other hand, I just can’t understand the rational behind the queen mother’s intention of bringing Bua Ngern into the palace. She took Bua Ngern from her parents just because she liked her. Bua Ngern and Jao Pee seemed like a distance cousin of a sort.
Bua Ngern doesn’t love Jao Pee. She remarked that there is no love except lust. Therefore, her relationship with Jao Pee was just fulfilling each other’s lust…his lust for flesh and her lust for being a queen. 70 years later, she was still so evil and selfish. When the reincarnated little princess appeared, she got more embittered and infuriated. She knew Jao Pee’s spirit was still lingering in this world but he had never ever once appeared before her. She knew Jao Pee doesn’t love her and was waiting for little princess to set him free. She was so adamant in prevent little princess from weaving the cloth because she didn’t want her to remembered her past life, she didn’t want little princess to forgive Jao Pee’s trespasses and she doesn’t want his soul to be set free. Since she couldn’t have Jao Pee’s love or experiencing happiness, she just wanted Jao Pee’s spirit to be trapped in this world enduring the sorrow of his regrets, loneliness and suffering which she too had to endure.
Siriyawong recalled his past life at the end of episode 15 when he played the instrument at the museum. He just instinctively played the instrument and suddenly tears just steamed down his face incessantly. He was so engrossed that he wasn’t even aware of what is happening to Rerin. I think just as Rerin was having memory flashbacks, Siriyawong was also having sort of flashback sparks in his brain. The drama clearly showed the audience, Siriyawong recalled his past was at the river side. Rerin said that this was the place we parted and Siryawong reassured Rerin that he would only allowed Jao Noi to leave behind Jao Nang Noi in that life time. But, from now on, in this life time and every life time, he would never have let go of her…….